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Friday, August 03, 2007

Kim Baccellia, YA Author

I’m the YA author of the multicultural fantasy, Earrings of Ixtumea. I grew up in Sacramento, California, the oldest of seven. I earned an elementary teaching degree from Brigham Young University.

I’ve been a telemarketer, library helper at the university, assistant manager, sales clerk, tutor, and bilingual teacher. Now I’m a stay at home mom and writer.

WOW: What cool and interesting jobs. How long have you been a writer? What made you put that first story/poem down on paper?

My first published poem, My Father, came out in 2000. During that time I had a number of other poetry and essays published in a variety of magazines. Finally, Our Turn, an essay on the adoption of my son appeared in the March/April 2003 issue of Adoptive Families.

WOW: A lot of your writing has been done relating to your family. What do your family/friends thing about your writing? Are they supportive?

My family is very supportive. One of my sisters has been reading her copy at work during her lunch hour. Another sister has been telling others about my story.

My friends have also been supportive. When my essay, Finally Our Turn came out, my principal at my school made copies for all the staff (this included the secretaries and janitors). I thought it was neat for the teachers and staff I taught with to be so supportive.

WOW: You've had several really different jobs. What is most frustrating about writing? Most rewarding?

The most frustrating thing right now is receiving the form rejection letter. I allow it to get me down for only a day, no more. Then I dust myself off and try again.

The most rewarding is to receive email and letters from readers who have enjoyed my work. Plus I have to admit it’s cool to see my name in print.

WOW: It really is very cool to see your own name in print. Do you read much? What kinds of books inspire you to write – if any? Do you have any favorite authors?

I read all the time! My vision of heaven is a humongous library filled with books. My favorite authors include Orson Scott Card, Meg Cabot, Diana Galbadon, Terry Brooks, and a few local authors such as Debra Garfinkle.

WOW: Where do you get most of your ideas from life? Or your imagination? A mix?

I was the kid in the neighborhood with the most vivid and bizarre imagination. My dad told me that writing is in my genes (I’m related to the author of Tarzan).

I base my writing on a number of things; my own life experiences, music, movies, and just life.

WOW: How cool! Related to a famous author. Do you have days when the words won't flow? If so, what do you do?

Yes! On those days, I’ll either force myself to write whatever. I’ll turn off my inner critic and let the words come. Later, I’ll probably delete most if not all of it but there are a number of times I’ve found a nugget I could later expand on.

WOW: That is such good advice. Do you have a "golden rule" of writing that almost always works for you?

Yes. Write every day. The only way I’ll finish a book is to write.

WOW: What is the best piece of advice you've been given as a writer? What's the worst?

The best advice I’ve received is to not let rejections get you down. Writers need to think of each ‘no’ as being closer to receiving a ‘yes’.

The worse is to only write what you know. Now how limiting is that advice?

WOW: Did we forget anything? What would you like to add? Any upcoming publications or links for our readers? Current projects we should watch for?

Earrings of Ixtumea is available on Amazon. Ebooks are available through Fictionwise, Mobipocket, and Virtual Tales. Also check out Café Press for some cool Earrings of Ixtumea merchandise.

Right now I’m shopping around Crossed Out, a YA paranormal. I’m also working on an edgier YA, Bullets of Truth that deals with bipolar disorder in 1976.

Thanks Kim. Good luck with your writing.

Be sure to stop by Kim's website for more info, appearances and links.